Task $2$:

When you configure the TCP$/$IP protocol on a Microsoft Windows computer, an IP address, subnet mask, and usually a default gateway are required in the TCP$/$IP configuration settings. Subnetting allows you to create multiple logical networks that exist within a single Class A$,$ B$,$ or C network.

Each student is given a separate Class B IP address.

Based on the information shown in the above diagram, design a network$-$addressing scheme $($by completing the table below$)$ that will supply the minimum number of subnets for all the devices on the $$Technology Centre$.$ You need to allow enough extra subnets and hosts for $50\%$ growth in all circled areas and explain how subnetting of TCP$/$IP suit of protocols will enable the effectiveness of above network systems. Table should include subnet number, network address, first usable host address, last useable host address, broadcast address, number of hosts and subnet mask.

Task $3$

You will need to produce a discussion of the operating principles of the main networking devices and server types and relate this to the interdependence of workstation hardware to the appropriate networking software that could be used in the above network:

$-$ Networking devices:

Servers; Hub, routers, switches, access point $($wireless$/$wired$),$ Load balancer, VPN$,$ Firewall, HIDS, IOT gateway

$-$ Networking software:

Client operating system, server operating system, Internetwork Operating System $($IOS$)$ used on many Cisco Systems routers and current Cisco network switches using show version command.

$-$ Workstation: the inter$-$dependence of workstation hardware with relevant networking software and hardware, e$.$g$.$ network card, cabling $($Fibre Optic, UTP, STP$),$ file permissions.

Task $4$

An exploration of the range of available server types for the above scenario, choose and justify suitable server with due regard to cost and performance optimisation.

Task $5$

In most cases, having the same subnet mask for all subnets ends up wasting address space wasted address space due to the fact that the same subnet mask is being used for all the subnets. Use the Variable Length Subnet Masks $($VLSM$)$ to address the efficient utilisation of a networking system and show in the tables below the wasted address spaces and Point$-$to$-$Point link networks $($only two hosts on each$)$ are used. Furthermore, explain the advantages of using the VLSM in the above network. Table should include subnet number, network address, number of hosts given per subnet, number of hosts actually needed per subnet, number of wasted addresses, range of wasted addresses. Subnet number, network address, first useable host address, last useable host address, broadcast address, number of hosts, subnet mask, CIDR